Winter Time Hues

So I admit being a little addicted to lucite. Especially the flowers and leaves that have become available within the last couple of years. Some are vintage lucite pieces that have been found in warehouse storages and some are newer stock. So many varieties of flowers to choose from. They bring so many designs to the imagination with the wide range of colors available. Here is a little taste of the most recent colors that I've added to my inventory for the store. I am so excited to be able to share them with everyone.

Vintage Vamp

Some more revamping is going on in my Etsy store. Have taken new pictures of the vintage lucite beads. Think the background helps to give the beads that vintage feel also. Really like how most of the pictures have been coming out. Will use the same background for the flowers and leaves section of the store also.

Risky Beads: Double Agents on Etsy--Those You Know and Some You Don't

Risky Beads: Double Agents on Etsy--Those You Know and Some You Don't

Take a read above and discover some great supply finds you may have never thought of. It is a wonderful article by fellow Etsian: RiskyBeads. And there is information at the bottom of the blog how to get a discount through 12/20/2008 at Beads2string.

Revamping

Have been really trying to decide the look I want for the background of the findings at Beads2string. Getting tired of looking at the white backgrounds. Also want to bring out more of the details in each finding as they are so beautiful in person. So when I was taking pictures of items to put in my new store MySweetVintage, I noticed on the back there was this great design just waiting to be behind the findings. So I took the below picture as a demo to see how it will look. It really gives a great contrast to the antiqued bronze and helps show off the great detail of the piece. So I'll be revamping the look of all of the findings at http://beads2string.etsy.com/ in the coming weeks. I can't wait to see the whole look of the store; it will probably make me want to revamp other sections. Hahaha just a never ending process isn't it?

Happy Etsyversary

Want to take time to thank all of Beads2String's new and returning Customers. It has been 1 year since the Beads2String store was open on Etsy. The 1 year Etsyversary occurred on 9/30/2008 (I almost missed it). It has been a tremendous ride with a new stores ups and downs, but definitely worth it. There is so much more growth that Beads2String will be experiencing in the future and can't wait to bring all the new inventory to my fabulous customers. Also due to the demand to be able to purchase more of a variety, I am currently working on brining more 1/2 strands with the gemstones as many have been requesting.

Thank you for allowing me to be able to help you grow and expand your Jewelry Designs. I love all of the final product pictures you provide. It is so exciting and inspiring to see what your visions and imaginations create.

Getting Further into the Blogging World

So I am getting a little further into the blogging world. Does anyone else feel like such a dork when they enter into this world? Hey I will freely admit it, my creativity is in the physical world not the world of the internet. When I look at other people's blogs I always say oh this gadget is cool, or love how they have this set up. Well now Mind of Beads includes the subscribe to this blog and Are You Following me gadgets on the sidebar. I know, I know finally!! Be patient with me I am blonde so does that give me the 5 second more rule? Hoo hoo 2 down and a whole bunch more to go hahaha.

Time on My Hands

Now that I have time on my hands, I've been revamping http://beads2string.net/ and wow what a difference pictures can make. It is looking so great and excited to get going on my other 2 websites. I am just one of those people who can't get use to a digital camera. It is nice to have the convenience of just uploading pictures right to the computer; however, really never happy with the quality of lighting. So over the course of the year I have retaken and retaken pictures of the beads, gemstones, crystals you see on Beads2string. Being in a different state also takes getting use to for when the best time is to take pictures with natural light. Think I'm closer then I've been before. For me in Texas I have to go out either really early before the humidity rises or right at dusk before sunset. Since pictures are frustrating for everyone thought I would share with you the beginnings and the end of my journey of what worked best for me.

Tried with different lighting inside and different backgrounds. Just was not satisfied and this satisfaction is based soley on my own; like your pictures have to be based soley on your satisfaction. Yes you can go in the forums and ask how people like your pictures but come down to it, how do You like your photos? Some like the bright color backgrounds, some bright white to black. I've used them all and it just wasn't saying what I wanted my store to say. I'm a total California girl who loves the mountains and beaches and everything nature has to offer. Want to bring that into my stores. My background for pictures now are from the outside world and I am very excited about the outcome. Now I do still need to work on timing and when to go outside. And believe me 10 minutes makes a big difference as one day I went to get something inside and when I went back out the sky had ugly dark clouds and God opened the flood gates. All things purple or hot pink are the only colors really frustrating me at this time, just can't get the right hues to show up in the digital camera still.

Well anyhoo here are some before and after pictures so you can see how a store like me still keeps trying to find that "1 look" that fits your store. It may not be a big difference for some but I want a look that will smoothly transition throughout my stores and keep a uniform look for glass, gems, lucite, crystals and make the beads themselves "pop" out and have the background be exactly that. So the below pictures are of Red Aventurine. I really do like the 2nd picture and the look with the store name but the white background is just not working for all beads. The final picture's backdrop has been working great and even my vintage lucite just "pops".